Dramatic video shot by citizens on the ground show tanks marked 'GNB' (the Venezuelan National Guard), with their roofs on fire, plowing through a crowd of protesters in the Venezuelan capital.

The protests began three weeks ago after the Supreme Court issued a decision stripping the opposition-controlled congress of its last remaining powers.

Tens of thousands of protesters made an unsuccessful attempt to march to downtown Caracas as security forces fired tear gas and rubber bullets into the crowd.